Frustrated with the process of choosing a location for their wedding, this couple decided to take a much needed Italian getaway to relax and reconnect. It was during their time abroad that they stumbled upon the gorgeous Lake Como area in a moment that could only be described as pure serendipity – they booked Lake Como’s Villa d’Este and everything else began falling into place. Add to this an incredible team of wedding professionals including Elena Pensini Events and Concierge, Figli Dei Fiori, and Oliver Fly Photography, and this sophisticated, destination affair is something out of a wonderful dream.
From the bride… Nicholas and I visited Italy to get our minds off of wedding planning as we could not decide on a destination for our celebration. After spending time in Milan and Venice, we ended up in Lake Como and absolutely fell in love! The Villa d’Este Hotel is such a magical spot – you instantly feel as though you’re transported back in time. However, it wasn’t until we returned back home to Palm Beach that we knew Lake Como was the destination we had been searching for.
I flew back a few weeks later to scout venues and meet with wedding planners and ended up choosing to stay on property at the hotel. I wanted to keep all the details very simple as the lake has so much natural beauty, and the venue has so many grand features between the famous Mosaic Garden and the Gatsby-like chandeliers. Figli Dei Fiori, a local flower shop in Como, did an amazing job pairing beautiful flowers (lots of lush hydrangea – the flower of Lake Como!) and hundreds of candles to create an elegant and romantic feeling. I designed all the invitations, programs, and menus, incorporating wax seals and calligraphy to mimic the old world atmosphere of Villa d’Este.
I went to almost every wedding boutique in NYC and Miami searching for the perfect dress. I was very close to designing my own when I found my Naeem Khan dress at Ever After in Miami. It was perfect, and I could customize it to have everything I was looking for in a dress!
Nick and I did a first look a few days before the wedding and took out a beautiful wooden Riva boat on the lake. I was hesitant to wear my dress and have the groom see it before walking down the aisle, but it was one of the best decision we made!
One of our favorite wedding moments was the first dance. We learned and choreographed a dance to “Fly Me to the Moon” with lots of spins and dips! The biggest surprise of the night was the wedding cake – it was so big, it took 4 servers to carry it out!
From Elena Pensini Events… A sweet couple from Miami, the most glamorous venue la Villa D’Este, and Lago di Como…. I had all the best ingredients to create an exclusive and elegant event. When Katherine asked me my thoughts on a color palette, we agreed that light blue and gold would be the right choice – blue with its elegance and gold with its bright sophistication.
Working with Katherine on the wedding stationery has been an unforgettable experience, as well the exciting exchange of ideas while planning. The wedding was sophisticated as the final result of “mise en place”. Everything was lit by the glow of candles and the spectacular chandeliers of the Impero room. Blue delphinium, velvet ribbon, a touch of china, gold wax monograms, the most surprising wedding cake entrance ever, and lots lots of fun – all of that was Katherine and Nicholas’s wedding at the impeccable and unique Villa d’Este.
Thanks to the great work by Oliver Fly, today, looking at these stunning pictures, I can say we achieved what Katherine told me she was looking for during our first meeting while drinking a cocktail on the terrace at Villa d’Este – “something that POPS!”
Photography: Oliver Fly Photography | Cinematography: Studio 213 Films | Event Planning + Design: Elena Pensini Events & Concierge | Floral Design: Figli Dei Fiori | Wedding Dress: Naeem Khan | Stationery : Bell'Invito | Bride's Shoes: Aquazzura | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Fame And Partners | Catering: Villa D'Este | Hair + Makeup: Jourdan Walker | Hair + Makeup: Daniela Guanziroli | Groom's Attire: Giorgio Armani | Venue: Villa D'Este | Bridal Boutique: Ever After Miami | Groom's Shoes: Stubbs And Wootton | Guest Book : Little Carabao Studio | Music + Lights: Blunotte Events | Photography Assistance: Matthieu Coste